Affordable test can detect parasite responsible for trichomoniasis in just 15 minutes

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world. It is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasite that is difficult to detect because in many cases the infection has no symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. Early identification is essential, because if left untreated, the infection can cause complications in reproductive health, increase the risk of HIV transmission and cause inflammation in the genital tract.

To facilitate detection, a research team at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) has developed a quick, affordable and easy-to-use test to detect the parasite that causes this infection. The results of this research have been published in the journal Sensors & Diagnostics.

One of the most important advantages of this test, called ALFA (Aptamer-based Lateral Flow Assay), is that it costs less than one euro, making it a viable option for use in public health programs and in countries with less developed health systems.

The test has been developed using an innovative technology based on DNA aptamers, which are short sequences of nucleic acid capable of binding in a highly specific way to target molecules. “The test works by means of a double aptamer system. One acts as a capturer and is immobilized on a nitrocellulose membrane, and the other is swept with gold nanoparticles to generate the visual detection signal,” explains Ciara O’Sullivan, head of the Interfibio research group in the URV’s Department of Chemical Engineering. This innovative design makes it possible to reduce production costs and increase the test’s stability.

The developers have shown that the test is able to detect very small concentrations of the parasite without confusing them with other common vaginal micro-organisms, thus ensuring its accuracy. Stability is another key aspect of the test insofar as its components retain their properties for a whole year at room temperature (22 ºC). This means that it does not have to be kept refrigerated or in special packaging, which in turn means that it can be distributed to areas with limited resources.

Moreover, the test is very simple to carry out, as it involves only three steps from taking the sample to obtaining the result, which appears in approximately 15 minutes. In the preliminary study, which used clinical samples, the results coincided exactly with those obtained using the traditional method of direct observation.

The research team now intends to continue its research by expanding its method to the detection of other pathogens.